2023 Podcast Awards Showcase: Celebrating the Year's Best
The world of podcasting has grown exponentially, becoming a major player in the realm of entertainment and information. 2023 has been a remarkable year, showcasing a diverse range of voices and stories through this intimate and engaging medium. In this blog post, we explore the prestigious podcast awards that recognize and honor the best in podcasting, highlighting the creativity and dedication of podcast creators around the globe. If you want to see some important events going on in the podcast world, you can check my list of podcast conferences 2024.
The Importance of Podcast Awards
Podcast awards play a crucial role in the podcasting industry. They not only acknowledge the hard work and innovation of podcast creators but also help in discovering new and noteworthy content. Awards bring visibility to lesser-known podcasts, facilitate a broader listener base, and inspire creators to push the boundaries of audio storytelling.
List of Podcasting Awards
Here's a list of notable podcast award names that recognize excellence in various aspects of podcasting:
- iHeartRadio Podcast Awards
- The Ambies
- British Podcast Awards
- The People's Choice Podcast Awards
- Black Podcasting Awards
- Australian Podcast Awards
- Webby Awards
- Latin Podcast Awards
- Peabody Podcast Awards
- Sonic Bloom Awards
iHeartRadio Podcast Awards
The iHeartRadio Podcast Awards is an annual event that shines a spotlight on the best podcasts across various categories. In 2023, this prestigious event featured 29 categories, including some new additions, and celebrated the diversity and creativity within the podcasting industry.
Some of the top Categories and Winners:
1. Podcast of the Year: "Las Culturistas"
- "Las Culturistas" emerged as the Podcast of the Year, a title coveted by many. This award is a testament to the podcast's exceptional content and impact on its audience.
2. Best Overall Ensemble: "SmartLess"
- The category of Best Overall Ensemble recognized "SmartLess" for its exceptional chemistry among its hosts. This award highlights the importance of dynamic and engaging podcast hosts in creating memorable content.
3. Best Business & Finance Podcast: "Planet Money"
- "Planet Money" took home the award for Best Business & Finance Podcast, showcasing its excellence in providing insights into the world of economics and finance.
4. Best Comedy Podcast: "Why Won't You Date Me"
- The laughter-inducing "Why Won't You Date Me" was crowned the Best Comedy Podcast, proving that humor continues to be a driving force in the podcasting world.
5. Best Crime Podcast: "Believe Her"
- "Believe Her" won in the Best Crime Podcast category, illustrating the enduring fascination with true crime stories and the compelling narratives they offer.
The iHeartRadio Podcast Awards distinguish themselves by involving a diverse panel of podcast industry leaders, creatives, and visionaries in the selection process. In a unique twist, fans also have a say in choosing the Podcast of the Year through social voting on Twitter, highlighting the significance of audience engagement in the podcasting landscape.
The Ambies 2023
The Ambies, short for "The Awards for Excellence in Audio," are a significant event in the podcasting world. They focus on celebrating the excellence of podcasts, emphasizing their uniqueness and personal touch in delivering entertainment, information, storytelling, and expression. The event brings together various talents and creators from the podcasting industry.
Some of the top Categories and Winners:
- Podcast of the Year: Chameleon: Wild Boys (Campside Media and Sony Music Entertainment)
- Best News Podcast: What Next (Slate)
- Best Sports Podcast: The Lead (Wondery)
- Best True Crime Podcast: Up and Vanished - The Trial of Ryan Duke (Tenderfoot TV)
- Best DIY Podcast (Special category for 2023): Queer News (E3 Radio)
- Best Business Podcast: Business Wars (Wondery)
- Best Fiction Podcast: Last Known Position (QCODE)
- Best History Podcast: Slow Burn: Roe v. Wade (Slate)
- Best Indie Podcast (Sponsored by Stitcher): Blind Landing (Blind Landing/Ari Saperstein)
- Best Knowledge, Science or Tech Podcast: Ted Radio Hour (NPR)
- Best Society and Culture Podcast: Ídolo: The Ballad of Chalino Sánchez (Sonoro, Futuro Media)
- Best Politics or Opinion Podcast: Strict Scrutiny (Crooked Media)
- Best Entertainment Podcast (Sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter): Scamfluencers (Wondery)
- Best Personal Growth / Spirituality Podcast: A Slight Change of Plans (Pushkin Industries)
- Best Wellness or Relationships Podcast: Come As You Are (Pushkin Industries)
The Ambies have a significant impact on the podcasting industry. They not only recognize and award excellence but also contribute to elevating the status and awareness of podcasts. This recognition can lead to increased visibility for winning podcasts and potentially influence trends and standards within the industry.
The Ambies represent a unique celebration of the diverse and creative world of podcasting, highlighting the best in various categories and acknowledging the contributions of podcasts to media and entertainment.
British Podcast Awards 2023
The British Podcast Awards celebrate the best in podcasting across various categories, recognizing outstanding audio content within the British podcast scene.
Some of the top Categories and Winners:
- Podcast of the Year: A Positive Life: HIV from Terrence Higgins to Today
- Best Comedy Podcast: The Skewer
- Best Documentary Podcast: Pig Iron
- Best News & Current Affairs Podcast: Today in Focus
- Best True Crime Podcast: Who Killed Daphne?
These awards spotlight the diversity and creativity within the British podcasting industry, boosting recognition for winners and setting quality benchmarks.
The People's Choice Podcast Awards 2023
The People's Choice Podcast Awards, running since 2005, celebrate outstanding podcasts across a variety of categories, with winners determined by listener votes.
Some of the top Categories and Winners:
- The Adam Curry People's Choice Award: Real Life Real Crime
- Best Female Hosted Podcast: 80s TV Ladies
- Best Male Hosted Podcast: Real Life Real Crime
- Best Black Hosted Podcast: We Used to Talk About this at Work
Podcasts participate by registering and are then chosen through listener nominations and voting. These awards reflect listener preferences and trends, influencing podcast popularity and recognition within the industry.
Black Podcasting Awards 2023
The Black Podcasting Awards 2023 marked its 4th annual ceremony, which was streamed on YouTube on the afternoon of September 24, 2023. The event celebrated and spotlighted Black podcasts, appreciating the efforts of applicants, judges, staff, sponsors, and supporters.
Some of the top Categories and Winners:
- Best Comedy Podcast: "Funny My Way"
- Best History Podcast: "You Didn't See Nothin'"
- Best Science and Technology Podcast: "Glowing in Tech"
- Best News & Politics Podcast: "The Assignment with Audie Cornish"
- Best Sports Podcast: "My Hockey Hero"
Black-hosted podcasts with at least six episodes released between May 2023 and April 2024 can submit their work for consideration. A dedicated team of judges then meticulously vets each entry, ensuring the awards recognize true excellence.
These awards aren't just about trophies; they're about shining a light on the immense talent and influence of Black podcasters. They show the world the breadth and depth of Black stories, fostering empathy, understanding, and connection. Plus, they inspire the next generation of podcasters to pick up the mic and share their own voices.
Australian Podcast Awards 2023
The Australian Podcast Awards 2023 recognized outstanding podcasts in various categories. It was an event that brought together podcast creators and enthusiasts, celebrating the best in the industry.
Some of the top Categories and Winners:
- Best Factual Podcast: First Eat
- Best History Podcast: Inner West Icons
- Best Comedy Podcast: A Rational Fear
- Best News & Current Affairs Podcast: You Have Been Told A Lie - Blood, Borders, and Biloela
- Best Fiction Podcast: The Missed
- Best Business Podcast: She's On The Money
- Best Kids Podcast: Dino Dome
- Best True Crime Podcast: Inside the Tribe
- Best Documentary Podcast: Nobody Dies Here
Podcasts participate by submitting their entries to the Australian Podcast Awards. The selection process involves a panel of judges who evaluate the podcasts based on various criteria, ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment of each entry.
The Australian Podcast Awards play a significant role in recognizing and promoting talent in the podcasting industry. By highlighting the best podcasts, the event encourages higher standards of content creation and helps in discovering new and diverse voices in the industry.
Webby Awards
The internet might be a vast and wild landscape, but every year, the prestigious Webby Awards take a moment to shine a spotlight on the creators making it truly exceptional. From innovative websites and captivating videos to groundbreaking podcasts, the Webbys recognize and celebrate the voices shaping the digital world. And in the ever-evolving realm of podcasts, this year's ceremony saw some truly outstanding shows take home the coveted golden "Webby."
Some of the top Categories and Winners:
- Advice & How-To
- Webby Winner: "Money Confidential" from REAL SIMPLE
- People's Voice Winner: "Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin" by Money News Network
- Arts & Culture
- Webby Winner: "Decoder Ring" by Slate
- People's Voice Winner: "LeVar Burton Reads" by SiriusXM
- Best Branded Podcast or Segment
- Webby Winner: "The Perfect Scam" by AARP Studios
- People's Voice Winner: "SmartLess" by Wondery/Amazon Music
- Best Co-Hosts
- Webby Winner and People's Voice Winner: "SmartLess" by Wondery/Amazon Music
- Best Host
- Webby Winner and People's Voice Winner: "The Problem with Jon Stewart (the official podcast)" by Apple TV+ Podcast
- Best Individual Episode
- Webby Winner: "Bring Gloves" by Snap Judgment
- People's Voice Winner: "Dead Eyes" by Headgum
- Best Limited Series
- Webby Winner: "Black Women of Amherst College" by WC1 Studios
- People's Voice Winner: "Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy" by Paramount & iHeartPodcasts
- Best Live Podcast Recording
- Webby Winner and People's Voice Winner: "Lovett or Leave It" by Crooked Media
- Best Partnership or Collaboration
- Webby Winner and People's Voice Winner: "World Corrupt" by Crooked Media and Men in Blazers Media Network
- Best Series
- Webby Winner: "GirlTrek's Black History Bootcamp" by GirlTrek
- People's Voice Winner: "All There Is with Anderson Cooper" by CNN
- Best Writing
- Webby Winner: "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls" by Rebel Girls
- People's Voice Winner: "Here's Where It Gets Interesting" by Sharon McMahon Education
- Business
- Webby Winner: "How I Built This" by Wondery/Amazon Music
- People's Voice Winner: "My First Million" by HubSpot
- Comedy
- Webby Winner: "Hold Up with Dulcé Sloan & Josh Johnson from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" by Paramount & iHeartPodcasts
- People's Voice Winner: "The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert" by Paramount
- Creativity & Marketing
- Webby Winner: "#5Things: This Week in Social" by Grey
- People's Voice Winner: "Design Matters with Debbie Millman" by School of Visual Arts
- Crime & Justice
- Webby Winner: "Broken Doors" by The Washington Post
- People's Voice Winner: "Casefile True Crime Podcast" by Casefile True Crime Podcast
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Webby Winner: "BEING Trans / BEING Golden" by Lemonada Media
- People's Voice Winner: "Sibling Rivalry" by Studio71
- Documentary
- Webby Winner: "Finding Tamika" by Audible
- People's Voice Winner: "Black History in Two Minutes" by Black History in Two Minutes
- Entertainment (Limited-Series & Specials)
- Webby Winner: "Let's Make A Sci-Fi" by CBC
- People's Voice Winner: "Insecure S5 - InsecuriTEA Podcast" by HBO
- Experimental & Innovation
- Webby Winner and People's Voice Winner: "BEING Trans / BEING Golden" by Lemonada Media
- Family & Kids
- Webby Winner: "Million Bazillion" by Marketplace
- People's Voice Winner: "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls" by Rebel Girls
- Featured Guest
- Webby Winner and People's Voice Winner: "Pod Save America: Obama’s Advice For Democrats" by Crooked Media
- Health & Wellness
- Webby Winner: "Verywell Mind Podcast interview with actor, Terry Crews" by Dotdash Meredith
- People's Voice Winner: "Time to Walk – Leslie Jordan" by Apple
- Health, Science & Education
- Webby Winner and People's Voice Winner: "Racism in Health: the harms of biased medicine" by Nature
- Interview/Talk Show
- Webby Winner: "SmartLess" by Wondery/Amazon Music
- People's Voice Winner: "The Problem with Jon Stewart (the official podcast)" by Apple TV+ Podcast
Any podcast, regardless of budget or size, can enter the Webby Awards. An international panel of judges with expertise in various digital disciplines meticulously evaluates entries based on factors like creativity, originality, and technical execution. Shortlists are then presented to the public for the People's Voice awards, adding another layer of democratic engagement to the process.
The Webby Awards play a crucial role in recognizing and amplifying diverse voices in the podcasting landscape. By celebrating excellence across a wide range of categories, they inspire creators to push boundaries and elevate the quality of storytelling in the medium. Furthermore, the awards bring visibility to smaller shows, potentially opening doors to new audiences and opportunities.
The Latin Podcast Awards 2023
The Latin Podcast Awards 2023, often dubbed the Academy Awards for Latino Podcasts, celebrated the outstanding talent and creativity of podcast creators hailing from Latin America, Spain, and the United States. This prestigious event showcased winners who have made a significant impact on the podcasting industry through their exceptional storytelling and captivating narratives. Winners were presented with the prestigious chrome microphone trophy, symbolizing their dedication to podcasting excellence.
Some of the top Categories and Winners:
- Bilingual Category: "Seedcast" by Nia Tero, hosted by Buzzsprout.
- REV International Category: "LA NÓMINA" by Luis Regalado, hosted by Spotify for Podcasters.
- REV USA Category: "Shoot the Messenger: Espionage, Murder & Pegasus Spyware" by PRX & Exile Content Studio, hosted by PRX.
- REV Mexico Category: "Sacred Scandal: La Luz Del Mundo" by My Cultura and iHeartPodcasts, hosted by Omny Studio.
- International Category: "Martes de Calidad – BBVA".
- Best Male: "Escuela del Podcast".
- Best Female: "Decretum Podcast".
The Latin Podcast Awards 2023 celebrated not only the accomplishments of these exceptional creators but also underscored the growing influence and popularity of podcasting within the Latino community. As podcasting continues to flourish as a medium for storytelling and cultural expression, it remains vital to acknowledge and support the diverse voices and perspectives enriching the podcasting landscape.
Peabody Awards (Podcast) 2023
The Peabody Podcast Awards is a prestigious event that recognizes compelling and powerful storytelling across various mediums, including television, radio, and online media. Established in 1941, the awards are named after the American businessman and philanthropist George Peabody and honor stories that enlighten, invigorate, and represent a range of mediums, genres, and narrative approaches.
Some of the top Categories and Winners:
- "This American Life: The Pink House at the Center of the World" - This episode of "This American Life" was recognized for its engaging and insightful narrative.
- "The Divided Dial" - This podcast from New York Public Radio received accolades for its impressive content and presentation.
- "Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s" - This podcast was honored for storytelling and content quality.
The participation and selection process for the Peabody Awards involves a rigorous examination of entries by the Peabody Board of Jurors, who are responsible for selecting the nominees and winners. The process aims to identify works that exemplify excellence in quality, storytelling, and impact.
Sonic Bloom Awards 2023
The Sonic Bloom Awards 2023, presented by She Podcasts, aims to recognize exceptional podcasting projects created and hosted by underrepresented voices globally. This includes cis and trans women, non-binary individuals, and anyone who identifies as gender-fabulous. The awards focus on independent creators who have demonstrated innovation, creativity, and progress. The event encourages diversity in podcasting, recognizing that over 70% of podcasters in the US are men, predominantly white. The submission period for the awards was from January 30 to March 31, 2023, with finalists announced on May 1. Entry fees were set at $50 for independent creators and $125 for corporate creators.
For more details on the Sonic Bloom Awards, you can visit their official website.
Podcasting Industry Overview
As the podcasting industry continues to grow, these awards play a crucial role in shaping its future. They not only celebrate the current achievements but also set the bar for what's to come, inspiring creators to innovate and elevate the medium of podcasting. Radio is still loved by many and podcasts is a reflection of that sentiment and the vision of the future.
Conclusion
The 2023 podcast awards showcase a vibrant and diverse podcasting landscape, filled with creative storytelling, innovative production, and engaging content. From mainstream hits to niche discoveries, these awards shine a spotlight on the best in the world of podcasting, celebrating the voices and stories that captivate and inspire audiences around the globe. If you had to nominate a podcast that is not among the biggest podcasts which would it be?